Hey White people, come gather around, I have some very important advice I need to share with all of you en masse. This is potentially life-altering and life-saving. It’s actually pretty simple, so much so that I’m shocked it has to be mentioned at all.

White people – more specifically, the younger White males engaging in these senseless acts – please, for your own safety, stop going to “the hood” and messing with Black people, I don’t want one of you to end up dead.

For anyone not up to speed, here’s the jig: young white dudes, or otherwise non-Black and non-Latino people are wandering into ghettos across America, and antagonizing “urban” people for laughs and calling them “In the Hood!!!” pranks.

Under the guise of a prank, they engage only Black people and do dumb shit like take people’s phones as they’re using them to “check the time.”

Or pretending to take pictures of people just to piss them off.

Or how about these idiots pretending to be “Five-O in the HOOD.”

As the YouTube views go up, these idiots get even more daring. Take these imbeciles who decided it would be a good idea to pretend to sell guns “In the Hood!”

Then there’s this guy using “the n-word” to illicit a reaction.

Or this group that decided to literally pick fights with people, even going so far as to drop the N-word to incite a reaction.

I’m not sure if this is some weird racist humor that just doesn’t tickle my fancy. Maybe it’s some social experiment that uses racial tropes as its punchline and a means of instruction and enlightenment, or both lumped into one. I imagine a select group of White Americans react to these videos in a way similar to how Black guys react to magic. “OMG! That black dude was pissed! He broke his phone lulz!” or something along those lines, otherwise these videos probably wouldn’t keep being made.

There is some humor here, because I have to admit, like when some jackass keeps walking up to only Black folks and asking “you want to kiss my ass.” I finally laughed when he got knocked out, literally. Worst part is this goober thought it was funny too, and now he’s laughing to the tune of 1.7 million views worth of AdSense dollars.*

But what if I went into an affluent neighborhood, approached only White people and started attacking them like it was The Purge or something? Is this acceptable as long as it’s under the guise of a practical joke and called “In the Burbs!!” If I’m daring ornery old white guys into a fight, there’s a good chance that I may actually have to take a punch or two and this is probably true for brown, yellow, orange or purple people, too.

But that isn’t being acknowledged here, instead these reactions are being treated as “Black people reactions.” “Get a look at how these Black folks react to me doing funny stuff.” Nope, these are the reactions of anybody put into these ridiculous situations.

So again, bros, I beg of you, quit it. Stop with the “In the Hood!!!” pranks. Not only are they offensive and humorless, but I also don’t want one of you to get killed, maimed or injured. On top of that, I don’t want some unsuspecting prank victim to do 25 to life because you pretended you had a gun for sale, only to find out that he already had one and was willing to use it while unknowingly being on camera.

As a token of my appreciation I’m going to heed my own advice, and not bother or antagonize you to the point of violent response. We can all get along if we abide by the Golden Rule and use just the tiniest bits of common sense.

Update — It looks like I’m not the only one asking for change. Community activist in New York are now doing the same according to the Daily News:

“It’s gotten so brazen that community activists in Brownsville and East New York demanded Thursday that they cease and desist before they get killed — and called on YouTube to stop giving them a platform.

“This is juvenile ignorant behavior that borders racist overtones and truly can go really wrong at any given time thus causing harm not only to the victims but even more so to pranksters,” said community advocate Tony Herbert.”

One of these numbskulls responded by simply noting, “we’re just going to keep doing it,” and that’s his prerogative. But for the rest of you, there’s still hope.

Share This

Ed. Note — The original piece used the general term “White people” when the people usually doing these videos are younger White dudes, as specified in the headline “White YouTube pranksters.” The original article has been edited to be more specific.

*The most viewed video on this channel? A video called “Black guy breaks into a car.” The prank in this video? A white guy tries to break into a car over and over uninterrupted. A black guy then attempts the same feat and is arrested within two minutes.

What the fuck is wrong with these dudes? Fucking modern day minstrel show. Using your White privilege to use stereotypes about Black inferiority for the entertainment of other White people. There’s something really sick about approaching the most vulnerable and disenfranchised people in America and exploiting them so brazenly and disrespectfully as if they aren’t even human. The sad thing is that people will comment under these videos and blame the Black men for reacting with anger and/or violence despite getting treated like zoo animals by a bunch of smug, middle class White guys, that’s racism in its purest form.

That being said, I’m quite offended u would infer that these only keep being made because white people enjoy them.

“I’m not sure if this is some weird racist humor that just doesn’t tickle my fancy. Maybe it’s some social experiment that uses racial tropes as its punchline and a means of instruction and enlightenment, or both lumped into one. I imagine the White folks of America react to these videos in a way similar to how Black guys react to magic. “OMG! That black dude was pissed! He broke his phone lulz!” or something along those lines, otherwise these videos probably wouldn’t keep being made.”

Either way, I’m white. I think these disgusting and asking for people to get hurt, as u mentioned. But for u to suggest all white folk think an act the same is plain ignorant. And irresponsible writing. That’s like me choosing a bad trap or drill artist and saying they only continue to make bad music because all black people love them. Not true at all.

They don’t continue to be made because white people love them, as u insinuate, but because they generate conversation and in turn clicks. That’s why u posted it, right? Congrats…u raised their viewership rates

I didn’t write this article, but between these videos and the Daquan memes recently, sometimes white America has to be addressed directly.

Yes, not all white Americans hold racist/bigoted/stereotypical views, but many still do. And if you don’t fit into those categories, then this article wasn’t intended for you (as the title is directed toward the youtube pranksters).

how else are latinos and blacks gonna get a free pass to power bomb a white kid on his face with out going to jail. this is like the leprechauns and shit. if you can catch one of these fucks in the act you can beat the shit out of this man like it was for sport….like a leprechaun and his pot of gold, it almost seems fair.

These videos are sad but we all watched them. By the last one I lost complete interest. I am sure the masses will do the same and think nothing of it. The people with hate in them will enjoy them. I laughed a little at the stupidity but these videos are not going to survive much more than anything else on youtube. They will exist and a small number of people 2 years from now will still be watching and making them. Some will be dead.

@BEWARE has a point. If this was an open letter to black people about the violent and misogynistic music that gets millions of youtube plays, then we’d all be pissed. This isn’t us vs. them. It’s a couple of dumbasses (who are actually Arab) doing some racist shit.

“not all white Americans hold racist/bigoted/stereotypical views, but many still do. And if you don’t fit into those categories, then this article wasn’t intended for you (as the title is directed toward the youtube pranksters).” But ok.

And I said “white America has to be address directly” is because it’s important to say these types of videos are not right to make and it’s important especially to let white folks (who have historical perpetuated these antagonistic and stereotypical views) know that it’s not ok as well.

Again, I know don’t fit in these categories, Beware. It’s the people that are racist and bigoted that need to read threads like this.

@BEWARE the legacy of White supremacy negates what you’re saying. Try not to take it personally, but as Black people still face oppression and inequality at every level of society compared to Whites. For this reason when confronting ongoing anti-Black sentiment we don’t have time to give cookies to non-racist White people in the process. We know you very well that you exist and keep doing what you can to not perpetuate structural and institutional racism. Similarly I don’t expect the LBGT community to constantly pause to give cookies or make exceptions for the “good” straight people out there when there’s still people getting murdered for being homosexual.

The only funny one was the guy acting like a zombie. Harmless for the most part..but taking someone’s phone, c’mon. Yet if something crazy happens because of this it will be all over the news like they’re thugs and it was only a joke.

ive worked in security and played sports my whole damn life if someone stands in a certain way while facing me im already preparing in my head how im gonna fuck this dude up. when i go to the clubs out of instinct im already peeping out the lil dude in the corner who cant hold his liqour acting wild becasue theres a fifty fifty chance im gonna have to drop that fucker.

military ppl also are always fully engaged like this…its not really that cool but i guess youll be safer. ive gotten my ppl out of a lot of clubs before the shooting happened…and had to do prop bono security work when the REAL security guards act scared. i just be lookin at them while im holding cats necks down and they look at me like “they dont pay me enough for this shit” sometimes you can just feel that energy in the air

I’m a white guy from Toronto. I’ve never lived in a rough neighbourhood in my entire life. But I know that if someone came up and snatched my phone out of my hand I would chase him down and beat the fucking shit out of him.

@petey wheatstraw I’m not a big guy by any stretch of the imagination, but I know exactly what you are talking about. +1
A lot of the time it has kept my friends and family safe. That is the bigger picture, I don’t go looking for fights.

I enjoy it because these dudes get what’s coming to them. Of course a nigga is gonna beat your muhfucking ass if you snatch his phone out his hand, regardless of the snatchers color or race.

However, this is some 1600-1700’s European, black people as Zoo attraction shit. We’re not put here to entertain you, and honestly it’s gonna take one of these whiteboys getting severely hurt or killed to put a cease to this shit.

Here’s the thing: the hood has calmed down A LOT from when niggas used to get popped over a pair of shoestrings. Lots of black folks from run down areas have internet access too (shout out to Metro PCS) and so are at least somewhat internet savvy. We get the whole meme thing and “ironic” pranks played by bored white hipster kids with nothin’ better to do (try meth, kids! Its probably safer…).

…but.

Trust. And belive. PLEEZE believe. On God. Some of these wild motherfxkers do. Not. Care.

Let me repeat.

NO. FXCKS. GIVEN. Not a one. Nope. Don’t do it. You gon’ mess with the wrong one, Saltine.

Yo Banksy, I’m all for criticizing these dudes for their racist pranks, but you’re really defeating the whole purpose by posting not one, not two, but FIVE videos. All you’re doing is adding to their views and further encouraging more videos like this.

Well, the first and last “subjects” in the second video are definitely guilty of battery, whether or not he was taking their picture. Most of the people in it were surprisingly cool once they were told the excuse.

Mann them ain’t no real hoods, just because a lot of black people are in a certain area don’t make it a hood. Let’s see them try that shit in a section 8 housing project. And yes I really want to see them fucked up. Vitaly and Roman are the only ones I really fuck with because they’re pranks are actually funny (the actual pranks not bullshit “social experiment”). Everyone else can go fuck themselves because not only are they corny but they just bob off Vitaly. Everything that they did has been a clear derivative from dudes videos.

So, showing the YouTube channel, basically promoting this trash is the smart move? Giving them a few thousand more hits was the right play here? Mkay. Careful getting off that soapbox, hope you got your pageclicks.

@Banksy Idk. I’ve never heard of this, now I have. And I’m guessing 95% of the ppl on here haven’t either, but now they have, and its now being emailed to other ppl who haven’t etc etc.

Maybe better just to let these bozos eat some well deserved medicine, or maybe I’m feeling a sense of embarrassment that these clowns have the same skin color as me. Idk. The whole thing is…[insert any negative feeling here]

I see these videos posted on YouTube and Worldstarhiphop all the time but I don’t bothering watching them. They’re all lame and pretentious. I’m not going to add to their view count by watching these videos and neither should you. As much as it is easy to say to wish harm on one of these lames, that also means one of their victims will catch a case, so fuck that. Just dont give these guys and audience. Although I would love to Drop these dudes off in Haiti or some real slums and they’ll find out whats real.

I’ve never claimed to understand what it feels like to be black or latino in America, because I have no idea. I’m white and I come from a middle-class background. I can pull the “minority friends” card, but that’s just as insulting as these videos IMO. I’m not going to tell anybody how to feel after watching these.

All I can say is that:

1. The videos bother me. A lot. They stem from a complete lack of perspective.
2. Videos like this only serve to widen the gap between races.
3. Prose like this only serves to widen the gap between races.
4. I really, REALLY hope that anybody reading this knows that motherfuckers like this don’t speak towards white people in general. They’re the bottom of the barrel. And every race has people like that, dudes who in no, way, shape or form speak towards the climate of the race in general.

Anyways. I’ve worked too damn hard to bring cool points to Team White Dude for these bastards to fuck it up. Fuck them with a spiked baseball bat.

I suppose getting arrested would be preferable to what very well could have happened to the people in the second video. Those knee-jerk violent reactions will not help them in life, nor will the “prankster’s” desire to be beaten.

I think they’re funny to be honest. The reactions aren’t justified. I know as much a you wanna say it’s cool, and they got what they deserved, physical violence is never the answer. This is physical comedy, at its boldest, just an extension of “Jackass”. That ad money adds up fast too.

Provocations short of violence or “fighting words” do not justify a violent reaction. The “Jackass” guys did harmless pranks that didn’t hurt anyone, though sometimes people decided to hurt them for it. I’m specifically thinking of Chris Pontius wearing a “Satan” costume and making jokes about circumcision and God. One crazy person actually started hitting him for it.

I can provoke you all I want… The difference between humans and lions is that I have free will. I can ignore you. I can grab my phone back, and go on about my day. You’re jus feeding into them, and sad to say they probably will get hurt seriously. Only way to prevent that is to stop letting people manipulate you into doing what they want you to do, and THINK.

“This is physical comedy, at its boldest, just an extension of Jackass”

Nope. This is much uglier and more mean-spirited than Jackass.

“sad to say they probably will get hurt seriously”

There’s absolutely nothing sad about this. Zero. I hope for the worst possible outcome for all of these assholes who make these videos. And your last sentence is utter nonsense. Only way for these dickheads to avoid injury or death is to stop provoking and insulting total strangers for entertainment. The world is filled with billions of people, and it’s not their job to be in on your joke, or forgiving if they find out you were fucking with them “just for fun”. The antagonist is to blame and completely responsible for what comes next.

To put it another way, any of these kids dying is even less tragic than bored rich kids OD-ing on designer drugs.

Look, the way these guys are approaching the strangers in the video shows a clear lack of respect, if you are living in the hood, respect may be the only thing you got going for yourself, so the violent first reactions are going to be more common.

If you are looking for strangers to do “right” then don’t put them in the wrong situations. These are learned reactions from living in that area, fight or flight. I don’t blame them one bit for pushing back before trying to figure why some strangers is in their personal space.

@Troiboi123 please don’t compare my people to animals in a cage. I know, I know, but still.

I think some of the reactions are over the top but the fact they’re only aiming it at black people as if any other race wouldn’t act the same is fucking weird, I know plenty of white people that would fuck me up for doing that phone shit, and I’m also aware that most rational people don’t lash out unless they feel physically threatened like they’ve got to protect themselves.

Take a seat @Gineaux Thomas . Several seats. You are meaning to tell me if you are on the phone having a convo with your mom or your woman or whoever and a random motherfucker walks up and takes your phone out of your hand mid sentence talking slick and attempts to walk off you would “I can ignore you. I can grab my phone back, and go on about my day.”

Get out of here of man nobody is believing that shit.

First how are you going to get the phone back??? Talk him to death??…YOu know what I’m done no need to answer.

The disease we refer to as viral videos are really making us desensitized. The Meme Generation, where upping the ante on stupidity happens for views. For what? Internet fame? These guys are exposing negative “hood” stereotypes out of humor. Do they see the hood now as a joke, where no real consequences to their actions happen? I wonder when people will wake up and stop trying to do stuff for The Vine…

Okay. People are racist for enjoying these/making these videos? Gotcha. Guess what? The central aspect of this article is implying that white people will get hurt/killed doing this with black people because blacks are basically savages, right? They won’t understand the “prank” and will injure you because they are a violent people. Isn’t that what’s heavily implied by nearly this entire article? Does anyone not see the thick sweaty underlining racism there? White daddy/mommy has to watch out of these things, because the blacks, etc.; cannot fend for themselves.

I love the whole white knight thing. Usually doesn’t take much to see the breakdown into real racism, that deep down shit that actually does real damage.

“But that isn’t being acknowledged here, instead these reactions are being treated as “Black people reactions.” “Get a look at how these Black folks react to me doing funny stuff.” Nope, these are the reactions of anybody put into these ridiculous situations.”

Great post, good comments. This is some fuck shit and I’ve already stopped watching these a few months ago. Somebody shouldn’t have to get killed for this to stop. But if somebody does, and the killer is prosecuted, I will attend whatever rally is held to support.
If a black man kills someone for these dumbass pranks can he use “stand your ground” law to get off? If that state has it. clearly these violent reactions are done out of fear and a preemptive attack could possibly be seen as self defense. If u knuckle up to fight me, why should I wait until u actually hit me to hit u back. They are provoking violence and ppl are reacting out of fear.

For the folks worried that these guys are getting paid if you watch the videos, make sure you have ad block and ad block+ installed on your browsers before watching the videoes. Youtubers get paid by the ad, not view or subscriber. Those little pop-up ads don’t count either.

I personally don’t see the “outrage” because if a motherfucker wants to pull a stunt and ends up getting fucked up in the process….well hell that’s his fault for doing it.

I watched the videos (because really views…really???) and the dude got hit in the face several times., body slammed, choked up, jumped and chased down a couple of streets.

I HIGHLY doubt any would be killed because it’s pretty much ingrained in every black person from birth that you cannot kill a random white person no matter what especially on the streets in broad daylight. That’s not a good look. Ever.

I admit the shit could’ve taken a severe wrong turn at anytime but at the same time don’t provoke people or give them a reason to do something to you. If he was minding his own business he wouldn’t have gotten fucked up.

1. Why are NONE of these dudes knocking these guys out cold? Guaranteed if they were hit and sent snoring… they would probably not do it again.
2. In the Bay, sadly, this ish would be okay. Glad to see nearly all of the people involved react the way they should. I would smash any of these kids and not spend a minute behind bars. A good attorney is worth it.
3. Dude nearly got shot – wish he had. Perhaps then these idiots (probably looking to get a deal with MTV or Comedy Central) would know what is up.

I honestly cannot believe this. Guarantee they are looking to get their own show. Wish this had not been posted. Most have seen these? I have not. Only ups their YouTube views and status. Google needs to ban their accounts. But you know Black people… all talk… no walk.

Firstly, as a member of “Team White Dude,” I’m not a fan of these videos.

Secondly, an honest question; I would identify the two kids in the first video as Arab or perhaps, Middle Eastern. Why are some people identifying them as white? Again, not hating, genuinely interested.

its bad that i’m only 23 and I constantly want to say “kids these days”. I swear every little action they do is for some kind of recognition on social media, but like you said someone is gonna get hurt seriously and then everyone will decide that this needs to stop…

SN: I know i’ve only been on here for like 6 or 7 months, but who are the rest of these people commenting on this? lol

The part that makes me sick is that these assholes have no regard for the people they’re “pranking”. It’s not fun, it’s bullying that you can get away with because you’re white. There’s a reason they ain’t doing it to other white people. On top of that they’re perpetuating some fucked up stereotypes, when if they did the same thing around a bunch of frat bros the same thing would probably happen.

Fuck em. I watched the first video but they aren’t getting any more views from me.

I don’t care about race or age, I hate when guys do cute ish. Pranks, try to show out in public, try to flex on you when their boys around. Basically I’m not a fan of fuckery.

As a big guy, don’t mess with mess with my food or drink. Cats eating ass out here (literally), I don’t know where mouth been. Also don’t mess with my property. Whether I paid for them or not, its mine. I don’t mess with your things without asking. Finally I’m not a fan of jock games. Tap on the should or a slight shove is OK, if you slap me hard in the head, try the cup check game, weggies, or pull my pants down, prepare to defend yourself.

There’s def a racist undertone to this shit. “Look at us brave and funny kids easily provoke these uncultured minorities in their shitty environments, LOL”

And the people digging it will be the “see I told you they were all thugs” demographic. It’s not a stretch at all that one of these kids will get clapped or at least hospitalized. Even then people are so stupid and desperate for attention that it still won’t make them all stop.

Most of the vids are young kids being a-holes for the sake of attention. Seen one of these vids last year where some kids bought a homeless man some food and stomped on it afterwards. There are also vids of ppl beating, choking and killing animals for fun. This kind of ish just doesn’t deserve anyone’s attention.

As far as race goes, there are huge topics that affect all of us and there are things that are just distractions.

Lack of funding for schools…yeah.
High interest rates for minority home owners…of course.
Discriminatory hiring practices…sure.
Kids posting dumb things on social media… nah, not worth the time.

@Bansky come gather around I have some very important advice…next time you write an article directed specifically towards whites, don’t post a bunch of videos of hispanic kids its confusing..just like all the emphasis on george zimmerman being white when he was clearly hispanic too..good talk thanks for nothing

I’m just looking for someone to get hurt because all it takes is one for everyone else to stop.

I also know for a fact that two of these videos were shot here in Columbus (the gas siphon one & russian hit man), due to recognizable locations and a friend of a friend putting one of those guys in a nice headlock. So if people do them it’s bound to happen, I just can’t wait to see how mainstream media spins it to portray the pranksters as victims.

funny how `black’ can be attached to a person easily when its negative
but when `white’ gets attached to a person in a negative context, everyone on that “they hispanic, arab etc etc”
when essentially you’re missing the point of the article

Honestly I find the videos funny, but I do agree that theyre wrong. I just enjoy seeing these guys get fucked up, but in the end they’re raking in cash doing it. Hopefully they’ll end up havng to spend most of it on medical bills.

The selfies in the hood is in Coney Island. The very first one in front of mcdonalds, a 16yr old kid was stabbed and killed on Easter I think it that exact mcdonalds. U see at the start of the vid the kid says this is the worst idea ever. U will die out there. Tell cops u have a gun and let’s see how funny those vids are also.

I notice that these guys aren’t even what middle America would refer to as white. They are Jewish kids. So please get your article straight when addressing “white” people. My guess is that the person writing this is probably associated with these guys and the article is just a means for getting more views on the videos.

How are these any worse than the knock out game these cock sucking dick licking faggot niggers think is funny? OOOOOOOOOOOOOH…..HE JUST KNOCKED THAT UNSUSPECTING WHITE BOY OUT….OOOOOOOOOOOH. Only niggers…..

Yeah the videos say in the hood.. big deal.. there awesome !! and what about every black stand up comedian. Every one always cracks on white people.. but guess what I laugh so get the fuck over it.. I’m going to watch w.e.t oh wait that’s racist but its cool to have b.e.t.. cry baby. Look at everything not just ur views

1. I agree these pranks are stupid AND dangerous. I wish for them to stop.

2. The only reason they go “in the hood” is because that is the only place where everything is answered with violence.

Yes, yes, yes you can go to a trailer park and likely get into a fight with a redneck for the straw man who wants to throw that one out there.

But go walk around a white neighborhood in the burbs and grab phones and you will get “Hey! You give that back!” while they chase before they laugh and smile because they are on camera.

Go into the hood? They will fight you.

See Anthony Cumia and his firing from Sirius XM over a certain culture and the quick leap to violence.

Go to a white guy and try to grab his umbrella or hold his hand for a goofy video and they just want to know where the camera is.

Simply enter the “hood” and step to anyone and they will be swinging before you can say a thing.

These pranks are WRONG. But in the “hood” it is sad that no one has the skills to do anything except jump to violence. The “hood” is dangerous because you are dealing with angry, irrational people who like Chris Rock famously said will go to jail over stepping on Puma’s and countless Chappelle Show “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong”.

I am a suburban black woman who grew up in “the hood” and escaped as soon as I finished school and could earn enough money to do so.

This is not a race thing but rather a cultural thing and in my suburban neighborhood you do not see stupid fights over meaningless things like the ones I saw every day as a child.

Pranks are bad but I think we need to worry less about keeping white kids with cameras out and wonder why it is so damned dangerous in those neighborhoods for everyone.